Semiconductor device having an insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) arrangement having a first configuration region of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures, a second configuration region of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures, a collector layer and a drift layer. The drift layer is arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region and the second configuration region. The collector layer includes at least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a second doping region, the doping regions having different charge carrier life times, different conductivity types or different doping concentrations. The first configuration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlap to the first doping region, and the second configuration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlap to the second doping region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to measures for increasing the durability orlife-cycle of semiconductor devices and in particular to a semiconductordevice and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device.

BACKGROUND

The breakdown of electronic devices is often caused by a degradation ordisruption of a semiconductor device due to high currents. For example,during the shutdown or switching off of insulated gate bipolartransistor devices (IGBT) increased hole currents may occur, which maylead to dynamic avalanche and consequently to a destruction of thedevice. Further, in a conductive state of a device, the temperature dueto high currents within the device may vary over the device. It isdesired to decrease the risk of destruction due to high currents.

SUMMARY

An embodiment relates to a semiconductor device comprising an insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement. The insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement comprises at least a first configuration regionof emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures and asecond configuration region of emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures. The first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region are arranged at a main surface of a semiconductorsubstrate of the semiconductor device. Further, the insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement comprises a collector layer and a driftlayer. The collector layer is arranged at a backside surface of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device and the drift layeris arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region andthe second configuration region. Additionally, the collector layercomprises at least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a seconddoping region. The first doping region and the second doping regioncomprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations. Further, the firstconfiguration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlapto the first doping region and the second configuration region islocated with at least a partial lateral overlap to the second dopingregion. The first configuration region, the first doping region, thesecond configuration region and the second doping region are configuredso that a first average density of free charge carriers within a part ofthe drift layer facing the first doping region differs from a secondaverage density of free charge carriers within a part of the drift layerfacing the second doping region by less than 20% of the second averagedensity of free charge carriers in an on-state of the semiconductordevice.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device comprising aninsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement. The insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement comprises a plurality of configurationregions arranged within a cell region of the semiconductor device at amain surface of the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device.Each configuration region of the plurality of configuration regionscomprises emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures.Further, the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises acollector layer and a drift layer. The collector layer is arranged at abackside surface of the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductordevice and the drift layer is arranged between the collector layer andthe emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of theplurality of configuration regions. Additionally, the collector layercomprises a plurality of doping regions within the cell region at thebackside surface of the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductordevice. The doping regions of the plurality of doping regions compriseat least partly different charge carrier life times, differentconductivity types or different doping concentrations. Further, theconfiguration regions of the plurality of configuration regions and thedoping regions of the plurality of doping regions are configured so thatthe average densities of free charge carriers within parts of the driftlayer facing the respective doping regions of the plurality of dopingregions differ from each other by less than 20% of an average densitiesof free charge carriers within the cell region in an on-state of thesemiconductor device.

Some embodiments relate to a method for forming a semiconductor devicecomprising an insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement. The methodcomprises forming at least a first configuration region of emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement and a second configuration region ofemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement arranged at a main surfaceof a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device. Further, themethod comprises forming a collector layer of the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement arranged at a backside surface of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device. A drift layer isarranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region and thesecond configuration region. Additionally, the collector layer comprisesat least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a second dopingregion, wherein the first doping region and the second doping regioncomprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations. The first configuration regionis located with at least a partial lateral overlap to the first dopingregion and the second configuration region is located with at least apartial lateral overlap to the second doping region. Further, the firstconfiguration region, the first doping region, the second configurationregion and the second doping region are configured so that a firstaverage density of free charge carriers within a part of the drift layerfacing the first doping region differs from a second average density offree charge carriers within a part of the drift layer facing the seconddoping region by less than 20% of the second average density in anon-state of the semiconductor device.

Those skilled in the art will recognize additional features andadvantages upon reading the following detailed description, and uponviewing the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments of apparatuses and/or methods will be described in thefollowing by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanyingfigures, in which

FIG. 1A shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device;

FIG. 1B shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device;

FIG. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a of an insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional illustration of aMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-section of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 8A shows a schematic cross-section of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 8B shows a schematic cross-section of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIGS. 9A to 9C show schematic top views of semiconductor devices;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-section of a trench-insulated gatebipolar transistor structure;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic top view of a trench-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view of a trench-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure;

FIG. 13A shows a schematic top view of a semiconductor device withindicated Mesa conducting positions;

FIG. 13B shows a schematic top view of a semiconductor device withindicated source implant;

FIG. 13C shows a schematic top view of a semiconductor device by acombination of the semiconductor device shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B;

FIG. 14A shows a schematic top view of a semiconductor device withindicated source implant regions;

FIG. 14B shows a schematic top view of the backside of the semiconductordevice shown in FIG. 14A with indicated ohmic contact regions;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device;

FIG. 16 shows a schematic top view of a backside of a semiconductordevice;

FIG. 17 shows a diagram indicating a current density over a collectoremitter voltage of a semiconductor device with homogenous sourceimplants;

FIG. 18 shows a diagram indicating a current density over a collectoremitter voltage of a semiconductor device with inhomogeneous sourceimplants;

FIG. 19 shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device; and

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of a method for forming a semiconductordevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments will now be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodimentsare illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/orregions may be exaggerated for clarity.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown byway of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit exampleembodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbersrefer to like or similar elements throughout the description of thefigures.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device 100according to an embodiment. The semiconductor device 100 comprises aninsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement. The insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement comprises at least a first configurationregion 112 of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structuresand a second configuration region 114 of emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures. The first configuration region 112 andthe second configuration region 114 are arranged at a main surface 102of a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device 100. Further,the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a collectorlayer 130 and a drift layer 120. The collector layer 130 is arranged ata backside surface 104 of the semiconductor substrate of thesemiconductor device 100 and the drift layer 120 is arranged between thecollector layer 130 and the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region 112 and thesecond configuration region 114. The collector layer 130 comprises atleast a first doping region 132 laterally adjacent to a second dopingregion 134. The first doping region 132 and the second doping region 134comprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations. Additionally, the firstconfiguration region 112 is located with at least a partial lateraloverlap to the first doping region 132 and the second configurationregion 114 is located with at least a partial lateral overlap to thesecond doping region 134. Further, the first configuration region 112,the first doping region 132, the second configuration region 114 and thesecond doping region 134 are configured so that a first average densityof free charge carriers within a part 122 of the drift layer 120 facingthe first doping region 132 differs from a second average density offree charge carriers within a part 124 of the drift layer 120 facing thesecond doping region 134 by less than 20% of the second average densityin an on-state of the semiconductor device 100.

By implementing different configurations of emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures at the main surface 102 opposite todifferent doping regions at the back side 104, the varying influence ofthe different doping regions to the density of free charge carriers canbe at least partly compensated by the different configurations ofemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures so that thedifference between the average densities of free charge carriers can bekept low. In this way, the temperature distribution over at least a partof the semiconductor substrate in the on-state can be kept veryhomogenous. Therefore, the life-cycle or durability of the device may beincreased.

The semiconductor device 100 may be implemented by any semiconductorprocessing technology capable of forming emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures, for example. In other words, thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device 100 may be asilicon-based semiconductor substrate, a silicon carbide-basedsemiconductor substrate, a gallium arsenide-based semiconductorsubstrate or a gallium nitride-based semiconductor substrate, forexample. A semiconductor device 100 may comprise mainly or only theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement (e.g. and an edgetermination structure) or may comprise further electrical elements orcircuits (e.g. control unit for controlling the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement or a power supply unit).

The insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a pluralityof emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures distributedover the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device 100. Theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures may be thepart of insulated gate bipolar transistor structures arranged at theemitter side of an insulated gate bipolar transistor. For example, theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the firstconfiguration region 112 and the second configuration region 114 mayeach comprise a body area, a source area and a gate and may share thecollector layer 130 and/or the drift layer 120. In other words, theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures may compriseseparate body areas, source areas and gates, but a common collectorlayer 130 and a common drift layer 120, for example.

The insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a firstconfiguration region 112 of emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures with a first charge carrier adjustmentconfiguration (e.g. laterally separated or laterally adjacent to) and asecond configuration region 114 of emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures with a second charge carrier adjustmentconfiguration. In other words, the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures located within the first configuration region 112and the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of thesecond configuration region 114 comprises different configurations orstructures (e.g. regarding channel width, channel length, sourcecurrent, body area width, trench depth or trench distance) in order tobe capable of providing laterally different charge carrier currents ordifferent carrier confinements, for example. Various parameters may beadjusted or selected in order to obtain a desired influence to thecharge carrier current or the carrier confinement of the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the first configurationregion 112 and the second configuration region 114. The insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement may comprise also more than twoconfiguration regions with different emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures, for example.

The first configuration region 112 and the second configuration region114 are arranged or located at a main surface 102 of the semiconductorsubstrate of the semiconductor device 100. In other words, at least apart of the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures ofthe first configuration region 112 and at least a part of theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the secondconfiguration region 114 built up a portion of the main surface 102(e.g. the body region and/or the source region may be located at themain surface building up a part of the main surface) or are located atthe main surface 102. The first configuration region 112 and the secondconfiguration region 114 may be located laterally adjacent to each otherat the main surface 102 or a further configuration region (e.g.comprising emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structuresdifferent from the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region) may laterally separate the first configurationregion 112 and the second configuration region 114, for example.

A main surface 102 of the semiconductor substrate may be a semiconductorsurface of the semiconductor substrate towards metal layers, insulationlayers or passivation layers on top of the semiconductor surface. Incomparison to a basically vertical edge (e.g. resulting from separatingthe semiconductor substrate from others) of the semiconductor substrate,the main surface 102 of the semiconductor substrate may be a basicallyhorizontal surface extending laterally. The main surface 102 of thesemiconductor substrate may be a basically even plane (e.g. neglectingunevenness of the semiconductor structure due to the manufacturingprocess or trenches). In other words, the main surface 102 of thesemiconductor substrate may be the interface between the semiconductormaterial and an insulation layer, metal layer or passivation layer ontop of the semiconductor substrate.

In other words, a lateral direction or lateral expansion may be orientedbasically in parallel to the main surface 102 and a vertical directionor vertical expansion may be oriented basically orthogonal to the mainsurface 102.

The collector layer 130 may be a lateral layer representing or formingthe backside surface of the semiconductor substrate. The collector layer130 may provide a current of charge carriers of a first type (e.g.electrons or holes) to the drift layer 120 and receives a current ofcharge carriers of a second type (e.g. holes or electrons) from thedrift layer 120 in an on-state of the semiconductor device 100. Forexample, the collector layer 130 may be at least partly in contact witha metal layer so that the collector layer can be connected to anexternal device.

The drift layer 120 may be a lateral layer located vertically betweenthe collector layer 130 and the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region 112 and thesecond configuration region 114. The drift layer 120 may be in contactwith the collector layer 130 or an optional field stop layer (e.g.comprising the same conductivity type but higher doping concentration asthe drift layer), for example. Alternatively, the optional field stoplayer may be part of the drift layer 120.

The drift layer 120 may comprise at least mainly a first conductivitytype (e.g. n or p) and the collector layer 130 may comprise at leastmainly a second conductivity type (e.g. p or n). The collector layer 130may comprise mainly the second conductivity type which can be a p-doping(e.g. caused by incorporating aluminum ions or boron ions) or ann-doping (e.g. caused by incorporating nitrogen ions, phosphor ions orarsenic ions). Consequently, the second conductivity type indicates anopposite n-doping or p-doping. In other words, the first conductivitytype may indicate an n-doping and the second conductivity type mayindicate a p-doping or vice-versa.

The collector layer 130 and the drift layer 120 may comprise mainly aspecific conductivity type, if the parts of the semiconductor structureoccupied by the collector layer 130 comprises a doping of the secondconductivity type over more than 50% (or more than 70%, more than 80% ormore than 90%) of the volume and the parts of the semiconductorstructure occupied by the drift layer 120 comprises a doping of thefirst conductivity type over more than 50% (or more than 70%, more than80% or more than 90%) of the volume, for example.

The collector layer 130 comprises two or more doping regions with atleast partly different conductivity types and/or different dopingconcentrations. At least the first doping region 132 and the seconddoping region 134 comprise different conductivity types or at least thefirst doping region 132 and the second doping region 134 comprisedifferent doping concentration (e.g. averaged over the respective dopingregion or maximum of respective doping region). Alternatively oradditionally, at least the first doping region 132 and the second dopingregion 134 comprise different charge carrier life times. Regions ofdifferent charge carrier life times may be implemented increasing thedefect density one or more regions compared to adjacent regions (e.g. byhelium implant).

The first doping region 132 and the second doping region 134 arearranged laterally adjacent to each other. In other words, theconductivity type changes at a border between the first doping region132 and the second doping region 134 (e.g. causing a pn-junction) or thedoping distribution comprises a mean doping concentration (e.g. meanbetween averaged doping concentrations over the respective dopingregions or between maximal doping concentrations of the respectivedoping regions) at a border between the first doping region 132 and thesecond doping region 134, for example.

For example, the drift layer 130 comprises at least one doping regionwith the first conductivity type reaching from the backside surface 104to the drift layer 120 adjacent to at least one doping region with thesecond conductivity type reaching from the backside surface 104 to thedrift layer 120 (e.g. implementing at least on reverse conductingregion). Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the drift layer 130may comprise a plurality of doping regions arranged in a lateralsequence so that doping regions with different conductivity type arearranged laterally alternating (e.g. implementing a plurality of reverseconducting regions). Optionally, additionally or alternatively, thedrift layer 130 comprises at least one doping region with a first dopingconcentration reaching from the backside surface 104 to the drift layer120 adjacent to at least one doping region with a second dopingconcentration reaching from the backside surface 104 to the drift layer120 (e.g. implementing a semiconductor device with improved switch-offbehavior).

The first configuration region 112 is located with at least a partiallateral overlap to the first doping region 132. In other words, thefirst configuration region 112 and the first doping region 132 arelocated at opposite surfaces of the semiconductor substrate andvertically separated from each other at least by the drift layer, butthe first configuration region 112 laterally overlaps at least partlythe first doping region 132 in a top view of the semiconductorsubstrate. Therefore, the first configuration region 112 influences atleast partly the part of the drift layer 120 facing the first dopingregion 132. Correspondingly, the second configuration region 114 and thesecond doping region 134 are located at opposite surfaces of thesemiconductor substrate and vertically separated from each other atleast by the drift layer, but the second configuration region 114laterally overlaps at least partly the second doping region 134 in a topview of the semiconductor substrate. Therefore, the second configurationregion 114 influences at least partly the part of the drift layer 120facing the second doping region 134. Optionally, the first configurationregion 112 may laterally extend at least over the whole first dopingregion 132 and/or the second configuration region 114 may laterallyextend at least over the whole second doping region 134 as shown in FIG.1A. Further optionally, the first configuration region 112 may comprisea larger or smaller lateral dimension than the first doping region 132and/or the second configuration region 114 may comprise a larger orsmaller lateral dimension than the second doping region 134.

The first configuration region 112 (e.g. regarding the configuration ofthe emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures anddimension), the first doping region 132 (e.g. regarding conductivitytype, doping concentration and dimension), the second configurationregion 114 (e.g. regarding the configuration of the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures and dimension) and thesecond doping region 134 (e.g. regarding conductivity type, dopingconcentration and dimension) are configured so that a first averagedensity of free charge carriers within a part of the drift layer facingthe first doping region differs from a second average density of freecharge carriers within a part of the drift layer facing the seconddoping region by less than 20% (or less than 15% or less than 10%) ofthe second average density in an on-state of the semiconductor device.

In other words, the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures at the main surface 102 may be adapted to the localconditions at the backside surface 104. Emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures providing lower currents of chargecarriers or causing higher carrier confinement may be implementedopposite to a doping region providing higher currents of charge carriersor causing lower carrier confinement than emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures located opposite to a doping regionproviding lower currents of charge carriers or causing higher carrierconfinement. In other words, the combination of the backside collectorstructure and the correspondingly adapted configuration of the frontside emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures enablesthat a difference between the first average density of free chargecarriers and the second average density of free charge carriers can bekept below 20% (or below 15% or below 10%) of the second average densityin an on-state of the semiconductor device.

The on-state of the semiconductor device 100 may be a state, in whichthe insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement (e.g. the sum of allemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures comprised bythe insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement) provides a maximaloverall current under normal or intended operation conditions of thesemiconductor device 100 or provides a nominal current (e.g. accordingto the specification of the device). A nominal current may be a current,which the device is able to provide in an on-state for more than 50% (ormore than 70% or more than 90%) of a life time to be reached by thedevice, for example.

The average density of free charge carriers within a specific region maybe a number of free charge carriers per volume or per die area of thedrift layer (e.g. and averaged over time after reaching constantconditions in the on-state). Due to structural inhomogeneities (e.g.positions of gates, sources and/or body areas of the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures or the differentconductivity types or doping densities of the doping regions) thedensity of free charge carriers may vary within the drift layer 120.However, the (first) average density of free charge carriers within thepart 122 of the drift layer facing the first doping region 132 differsfrom the (second) average density of free charge carriers within thepart 124 of the drift layer facing the second doping region 134 by lessthan 20% of the second average density.

The part 122 of the drift region 120 facing the first doping region 132may be the volume occupied by drift layer 120 located closer to thefirst doping region 132 than to another parts of the collector layer130. Correspondingly, the part 124 of the drift region 120 facing thesecond doping region 134 may be the volume occupied by drift layer 120located closer to the second doping region 134 than to another parts ofthe collector layer 130. In other words, the part 122 of the driftregion 120 facing the first doping region 132 may be the area of thedrift region 120 located above the first doping region 132 and the part124 of the drift region 120 facing the second doping region 134 may bethe area of the drift region 120 located above the second doping region134 in a cross section of the semiconductor substrate as indicated bythe dashed lines in FIG. 1A.

For example, the first doping region 132 and the second doping region134 may be configured so that the first doping region 132 is capable ofproviding (or receiving) a higher average density of charge carriers(current of electrons or current of holes) to (or from) the drift layer120 in an on-state of the semiconductor device 100 than the seconddoping region 134. Further, the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region 122 and theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the secondconfiguration region 124 may be configured so that the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the second configurationregion 124 are capable of providing (or receiving) a higher averagedensity of charge carriers or current of charge carriers (current ofelectrons or current of holes) to (or from) the drift layer 120 in anon-state of the semiconductor device 100 than the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region122. In other words, the first doping region 132 may be configured toprovide a higher average density of charge carriers or current of chargecarriers to the drift layer 120 in an on-state of the semiconductordevice 100 than the second doping region 134, if the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures at the main surface 102would comprise a homogeneous or equal configuration. Correspondingly,the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of thesecond configuration region 124 may be configured to provide a higheraverage density of charge carriers or current of charge carriers to thedrift layer 120 in an on-state of the semiconductor device 100 than theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the firstconfiguration region 122, if the collector layer 130 would comprise ahomogeneous doping concentration and conductivity type. By arrangingstructures with opposite effect to the density of charge carriers orcurrent of charge carriers at least partly opposite to each other, theresulting variation of the average density of free charge carrierswithin the different regions of the drift layer 120 can be kept low, forexample.

The lateral dimension or extension of the first configuration region112, the first doping region 132, the second configuration region 114and the second doping region 134 may vary in a wide range. A lateralmovement of free charge carriers may be in the range of the diffusionlength of the free charge carriers within the used semiconductormaterial. Alternatively, the thickness of the semiconductor substrate ofthe semiconductor device 100 may practically limit the diffusion length,since the free charge carriers may reach the backside of thesemiconductor substrate before reaching a significant larger lateraldistance than the thickness of the semiconductor device.

For example, optionally, additionally or alternatively to one or moreaspects mentioned above, the first configuration region 112, the firstdoping region 132, the second configuration region 124 and the seconddoping region 134 may comprise each a lateral dimension of more thanhalf (or more than once or more than twice) of a diffusion length offree charge carriers within the drift layer 120 or more than half (ormore than once or more than twice) of a thickness of the semiconductorsubstrate of the semiconductor device 100. Regions large than half adiffusion length of free charge carriers within the drift layer 120 orhalf a thickness of the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductordevice 100 may cause significant variations of the local density of freecharge carriers in the part of the drift layer 120 facing the respectiveregion. Such a variation may be avoided or may be kept low byimplementing a corresponding counter region at the opposite side of thesemiconductor substrate, for example.

The first configuration region 112, the first doping region 132, thesecond configuration region 114 and the second doping region 134 may bearranged at arbitrary locations on the semiconductor substrate. Forexample, the first configuration region 112 and the second configurationregion 114 may be located within a cell region of the semiconductorsubstrate. The cell region area may be laterally enclosed by an edgeregion (e.g. comprising an edge termination structure in order to reducethe electric fields towards the edge) surrounding the semiconductorsubstrate at an edge (e.g. resulting from a separation of thesemiconductor substrate from other semiconductor dies on a wafer) of thesemiconductor substrate. The edge region may comprise a lateral width ofless than a quarter (or less than 20% or less than 10%) of a lateraldimension of the semiconductor substrate (e.g. but lager than 0.1%,larger than 1% or larger than 5% of a lateral dimension of thesemiconductor substrate). In other words, the measures for homogenizingthe average density of free charge carriers may be implemented in anarea in the proximity to the center of the semiconductor substrate.

The cell region of the semiconductor substrate may be a region laterallyexpanding over the semiconductor substrate comprising or providing morethan 50% (or more than 70%, more than 80% or more than 90%) of thecurrent flow through the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangementof the semiconductor device 100 in an on-state of the insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement. The size of the cell region may bedependent on the absolute current-rating of the chip (i.e., the totalchip size), for example.

Optionally, alternatively or additionally to one or more aspectsmentioned above, the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement maycomprise a plurality of configuration regions arranged within a cellregion of the semiconductor device 100 at the main surface 102 of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device 100. Further, thecollector layer 130 may comprise a plurality of doping regions withinthe cell region at the backside surface 104 of the semiconductorsubstrate of the semiconductor device 100. The configuration regions ofthe plurality of configuration regions and the doping regions of theplurality of doping regions may be configured so that the averagedensities of free charge carriers within parts of the drift layer 120facing the respective doping regions of the plurality of doping regionsdiffer from each other by less than 20% of an average densities of freecharge carriers within the cell region in an on-state of thesemiconductor device 100. In other words, the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures at the main surface 102 may beadapted to the distribution of doping regions within the collector layer130 over the cell region so that the variation of the average densitiesof free charge carriers within the part of the drift layer 120 locatedin the cell region can be kept low. This may keep the variation of thetemperature within cell region low. In this way, the overall currentprovideable or switchable by the semiconductor device 100 may beincreased and/or the life-cycle or durability of the device may beincreased, for example.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device 150according to an embodiment. The implementation of the semiconductordevice 150 is similar to the implementation shown in FIG. 1A. However,an alternating sequence of first configuration regions 112 and secondconfiguration regions 114 is arranged at the main surface 102 oppositeto an alternating sequence of first doping regions 132 and second dopingregions 134 at the backside surface 104. More details and aspects aredescribed in connection with the embodiments above (e.g. FIG. 1A).

FIG. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a semiconductor device 200according to an embodiment. The implementation of the semiconductordevice 200 is similar to the implementation shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.However, an alternating sequence of first configuration regions 112 andsecond configuration regions 114 is arranged at the main surface 102opposite to an alternating sequence of first doping regions 132 andsecond doping regions 134 at the backside surface 104 within a cellregion of the semiconductor substrate. In this case, the first dopingregions 132 comprise a light p-doping and the second doping regions 134comprise a high p-doping. Further, the doping regions of the collectorlayer are surrounded by a lightly p-doped edge region 232 at an edge ofthe semiconductor substrate and the configuration regions are surroundedby an edge termination region 216 (e.g. comprising a lateral edgetermination structure or guard rings) at an edge of the semiconductorsubstrate. The configurations regions 114 opposite to the highly p-dopedregions 114 comprise emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures capable of providing a lower density of charge carriers orcurrent of charge carriers than the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the configurations regions 112 opposite to thelightly p-doped regions 112, for example. The highly p-doped regions 114may provide holes for a longer time during switch-off than the lightlyp-doped regions 112 resulting in an improved switch-off behavior, forexample. The drift layer 120 comprises a low n-doping and an n-dopedfield stop layer 226 is arranged between the drift layer 1210 and thecollector layer. More details and aspects are described in connectionwith the embodiments above (e.g. FIGS. 1A and 1B).

FIG. 2B shows a schematic cross-section of a part (e.g. between a centerof the semiconductor substrate to the left and an edge of thesemiconductor substrate to the right) of a semiconductor device 250according to an embodiment. The implementation of the semiconductordevice 250 is similar to the implementation shown in FIG. 1A. In thiscase, the first doping region 132 comprises an n-doping (e.g.implementing reverse conducting regions or n-shorts) and the seconddoping regions 134 comprise a high p-doping. Further, the doping regionsof the collector layer are surrounded by a medium-to-high p-doped edgeregion 272 at an edge of the semiconductor substrate. The firstconfigurations region 112 is laterally separated from the secondconfiguration region 114 by a border configuration region 262 locatedopposite to the border of the first doping region 132 and the adjacentdoping regions. Further, the configuration regions are surrounded by anedge termination region 268 (e.g. comprising a lateral edge terminationstructure or guard rings) at an edge of the semiconductor substrate anda transition configuration region 266 is arranged laterally between oneof the border configuration regions 262 and the edge termination region268. Additionally, a center configuration region 264 is arrangedadjacent to the second configuration region 114 and extends laterallytowards a center of the semiconductor substrate.

The first configurations region 112 is configured to be capable toprovide a first density of charge carriers or current of charge carriers(e.g. very low current or even zero current, e.g. due to a very smallchannel width <<<y or even no channel caused by no gate trenches or nosource regions implementing a desaturation channel, for example), thesecond configuration region 114 is configured to be capable to provide asecond density of charge carriers or current of charge carriers (e.g.medium current, e.g. due to a medium channel width y), the borderconfiguration region 262 is configured to be capable to provide a thirddensity of charge carriers or current of charge carriers (e.g. very highcurrent, e.g. due to a large channel width >>y), the centerconfiguration region 264 is configured to be capable to provide a fourthdensity of charge carriers or current of charge carriers (e.g. very highcurrent, e.g. due to a large channel width >>y), the edge terminationregion 268 is configured to be capable to provide a fifth density ofcharge carriers or current of charge carriers (e.g. very low current oreven zero current, e.g. due to a very small channel width <<<y or evenno channel) and the transition configurations region 266 is configuredto be capable to provide a sixth density of charge carriers or currentof charge carriers (e.g. low current, e.g. due to a small channel width<y or even no channel). Alternatively, also the border configurationregion 262 or the center configuration region 264 may be considered asthe second configuration region, for example. More general, thesemiconductor device 250 may comprise a plurality of differentconfiguration region and a plurality of different doping regions. Moredetails and aspects are described in connection with the embodimentsabove (e.g. FIGS. 1A and 1B).

For example, emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structurescapable of providing a high density of charge carriers or current ofcharge carriers (e.g. by an increased channel width) may be implementedwithin at least a part of a p-pilot region (e.g. largest uninterruptedp-region at the backside of the semiconductor substrate) in order tofacilitate the ignition of the insulated bipolar transistor arrangement.

An emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structure of aplurality of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structuresincluded by the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement can beimplemented in various ways.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section of a part of an insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement 350 according to an embodiment. Theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement 350 comprises asemiconductor structure (e.g. silicon-based or silicon carbide-based)comprising a collector layer 360, a drift layer 370, a plurality of bodyareas 380, a plurality of source areas 385 and a gate 390 of a pluralityof gates 390 (e.g. of similar or equal structures distributed over theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement). The plurality of sourceareas 385 and the drift layer 370 comprise at least mainly a firstconductivity type (e.g. n or p) and the plurality of body areas 380 andthe collector layer 360 comprise at least mainly a second conductivitytype (e.g. p or n). The plurality of gates 390 are arranged so that thegates 390 are capable of causing a conductive channel 392 between thesource areas 385 and the drift layer 370 through the body areas 380. Thegates 390 may be electrically insulated from at least the body areas 380by an insulation layer 394 (e.g. gate oxide layer).

In other words, the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures of the first and the second configuration region comprise aplurality of body areas 380, a plurality of source areas 385 and aplurality of gates each 390. The plurality of source areas 385 and thedrift layer 370 comprise at least mainly a first conductivity type andthe plurality of body areas 380 and the collector layer 360 comprise atleast mainly a second conductivity type. Further, the plurality of gates390 are arranged so that the gates 390 are capable of causing aconductive channel 392 between the source areas 385 and the drift layer370 through the body areas 380.

The collector layer 360, the drift layer 370, the plurality of bodyareas 380 and the plurality of source areas 385 may comprise mainly aspecific conductivity type, if the part of the semiconductor structureoccupied by the collector layer 360, the drift layer 370, the pluralityof body areas 380 or the plurality of source areas 385 comprises adoping of the second conductivity type over more than 50% (or more than70%, more than 80% or more than 90%) of the volume, for example.

The plurality of gates 390 may be arranged so that the gates 390 cause aconductive channel 392 between the source areas 385 and the drift layer370 through the body areas 380 according to a field effect transistorprinciple. In other words, the plurality of gates 390 are arranged inthe proximity of the body areas 380 but electrically insulated from thebody area 380 by an insulation layer 390 so that a conductive channel392 between the source areas 385 and the drift layer 370 can becontrolled by a voltage applied to the gates 390.

The first and the second configuration region may each comprise aplurality of similar structures as shown in FIG. 3. The gates 390 andthe source areas 385 of the first and the second configuration regionmay be connected to separate gate and source contacts. Alternatively,the gates 390 and the source areas 385 of the first and the secondconfiguration region may be connected to common source and/or gatecontacts (e.g. so that basically the same voltage is applied to thesources and/or the gates of the first and the second configurationregion at least in an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement).

In an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement 350,the free charge carriers may be mainly located within the drift layer370 so that an average density of free charge carriers can berepresented by the density of free charge carriers within the driftlayer. This may be valid also for other structural implementations ofthe insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement (e.g. trench-insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement or Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement).

The plurality of body areas 380 and the plurality of source areas 385may be formed within the drift layer 370 by implanting ions. However,the plurality of body areas 380 and the plurality of source areas 385may occupy only a small portion of the drift layer 370 so that the driftlayer 370 comprises mainly the first conductivity type, for example.Alternatively, the plurality of body areas 380 may be deposited on topof the drift layer 370 so that the plurality of body areas 380 may bepart of a body layer. Further, the plurality of source areas 385 may beimplemented within the body layer by implanting ions.

The collector layer 360, the drift layer 370, the plurality of bodyareas 380, the plurality of cell areas 385 and the plurality of gates390 can be arranged in various ways in order to implement anemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structure. For example,the plurality of source areas 385 and the plurality of gates 390 as wellas the electrical connection to this structures is located at thefront-side (main surface) of the semiconductor device and the collectorlayer 360 as well as the electrical contact to the collector layer 360is arranged at the backside of the semiconductor device as shown in FIG.3.

More details and aspects are described in connection with theembodiments above (e.g. FIG. 1A to 2B).

The low difference between the average densities of free charge carrierswithin the drift layer 370 may be obtained or caused by variousmeasures, which will be explained in the following and may be usedindependent from each other or by a combination of two or more of thesemeasures.

For example, the source current provided to the first configurationregion 112 and the second configuration region 114 may be controlled sothat a desired distribution of free charge carriers in an on-state ofthe insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement is obtained. In otherwords, the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement may comprise asource current supply circuit. This source current supply circuit mayprovide in an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement a first average source current to the source areas locatedin the first configuration region and a second average source current tothe source areas located in the second configuration region. The firstaverage source current is different from the second average sourcecurrent.

An average source current may be a current provided to source areasaveraged through a region or a current per source area averaged througha region (the first configuration region and the second configurationregion). In other words, the source current within the different regionsmay be limited so that the difference of the average densities of freecharge carriers within the drift layer 120 can be kept low.

Alternatively or additionally to a different limitation of the sourcecurrent, the portion of area occupied or covered by source areas withinthe first configuration region 112 and the second configuration region114 may be varied. In other words, the source areas located in the firstconfiguration region 112 may cover a larger portion of the firstconfiguration region 112 (portion of die area occupied by the sourceareas) than a portion of the second configuration region 114 covered bythe source areas located in the second configuration region 114. Byreducing the portion of areas occupied or covered by source areas, theprovided source current in the different region can be varied so that adesired distribution of the average density of free charge carriers inan on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement can beobtained.

A variation of the portion of area occupied or covered by the sourceareas can be obtained by varying the size of the masked or unmaskedareas during the source implantation, for example.

Alternatively or additionally to one or more aspects described above,the channel width used for controlling the current flow in an on-stateof the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement can be variedwithin the different configuration regions. In other words, an averagechannel width controllable by the gates located in the firstconfiguration region 112 may be larger than an average channel widthcontrollable by the gates located in the second configuration region114. In this way, a significantly lower base current may be generatedwithin the second configuration region 114 in comparison with the firstconfiguration region 112 so that the density of free charge carriers canbe adapted to the collector layer implementation.

Additionally, alternatively or optionally to one or more aspectsdescribed above, the channel length used for controlling the currentflow in an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangementcan be varied within the different configuration regions. In otherwords, an average channel length controllable by the gates located inthe first configuration region 112 may be smaller than an averagechannel length controllable by the gates located in the secondconfiguration region 114. In this way, a significantly lower basecurrent may be generated within the second configuration region 114 incomparison with the first configuration region 112 so that the densityof free charge carriers can be adapted to the collector layerimplementation.

Additionally, alternatively or optionally to one or more aspectsdescribed above, the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures may comprise a plurality of trenches reaching vertically(orthogonal to a main surface) through a body layer comprising theplurality of body regions. Further, the gates are arranged in trenchesof the plurality of trenches. By implementing the gates in trenchesreaching through the body regions into the drift layer,trench-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures and/orMesa-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures can beprovided.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 10 illustrate an overview of two examples of differentcell types.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross section of a Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure 400. The Mesa-insulated gate bipolar transistorstructure 400 comprises a collector layer 460 (e.g. doping concentrationof 1e16 to 1e18/cm²) and a backside collector metal layer 462 for anelectrical contact 464 to the collector layer 460 of the Mesa-insulatedgate bipolar transistor structure 400 at a backside of theMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400. Further, theMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400 comprises a driftlayer 470 (e.g. n⁻ basis, substrate) adjacent to the collector layer 460and a body layer (e.g. deposited or implanted) comprising body areas 480(e.g. doping concentration of 1e17 to 1e19/cm²) adjacent to the driftlayer 470 (e.g. doping concentration of 5e12 to 1e14/cm²). Additionally,the Mesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400 comprisessource areas 485 in contact to a source metal layer 486 for anelectrical contact 487 adjacent to the body areas 480. Additionally,also the body areas 480 may be in contact to a source metal layer 486,for example. Further, trenches comprising gates 490 (e.g. poly silicongates) reaching vertically through the body layer are arranged withpredefined lateral distance to each other. The gates can be electricallyconnected through a gate wiring 492 (not shown). Optionally, theMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400 may comprise afield stop layer between the drift layer 470 and the collector layer460.

The Mesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400 comprises bodyareas representing Mesa structures. A Mesa structure comprises asignificantly larger (e.g. more than 5 times larger or more than 10times larger) dimension in one lateral direction than in another lateraldirection (e.g. orthogonal lateral direction). A local carrierconfinement may be adjusted or varied by varying a lateral width of theMesa structure (e.g. lateral width of body area), for example. TheMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 400 may also be calledstrip-insulated gate bipolar transistor structure for devices with Mesastructures with large lateral width (e.g. more than 5 μm).

Optionally, alternatively or additionally to one or more aspectsmentioned above, the plurality of trenches comprises more trenches thangates comprised by the plurality of gates. The remaining trenches can befilled with spacer structures so that the distance between gates can bevaried by arranging a different number of spacer structures between twoneighbouring gates. In other words, gates may be arranged in a firstpart of the plurality of trenches and the plurality of spacer structuresmay be arranged within a second part of the plurality of trenches.Further, the semiconductor device may be configured to connect theplurality of spacer structures to a source potential (e.g. byelectrically connecting the spacer structures to the source areasthrough one or more metal layer) in an on-state of the insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement. Additionally, an average number ofspacer structures between neighbouring gates (e.g. closest neighbours orclosest neighbours in a predefined direction) in the first configurationregion 112 may be smaller than an average number of spacer structuresbetween neighbouring gates in the second configuration region 114. Inthis way, the channel area per volume controlled by gates can be variedin order to obtain a desired distribution of the density of free chargecarriers. Additionally, an n-barrier layer between the trenches underthe p-body region can be used to increase the carrier confinement. Then-barrier could be implemented in the first configuration of IGBTstructures, whereas, the no n-barrier is implemented in the secondconfiguration of IGBT structures. Alternatively, different n-barrierdoses in the first and the second configuration results also indifferent charge carrier densities in front of the mesa structure.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic three dimensional view of a Mesa-insulated gatebipolar transistor structure 500. The Mesa-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure 500 is implemented similar to the Mesa-insulatedgate bipolar transistor structure shown in FIG. 4, but comprisestrenches including spacer structures 570 connected to source potential.The illustrated example comprises a GS4 contacting indicating that atrench containing a gate is laterally followed by four trenchescontaining a spacer structure 570 (e.g. same material as gates butconnected to source).

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross section of the Mesa-insulated gatebipolar transistor structure 500 shown in FIG. 5 along the indicatedline A1-A2. The gates 490 are connected or connectable to a gatepotential or voltage V_(g) and the spacer structures 570 are connectedor connectable to a source potential or voltage V_(s) in an on-state ofthe insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement. Alternatively, thespacer structures may be connected or connectable also to the gatepotential or voltage V_(g), if the portion of the body layer adjacent tothe spacer structures is implemented without source areas 485 so that nochannel can be built up. In this way, a more homogeneously high backlashcapacity may be provided to the back end (BE). The gates 490 and thespacer structures are electrically insulated from the adjacentsemiconductor material by an insulation layer 610 (e.g. silicon oxide).Further, FIG. 6 indicates a Mesa width W and a Mesa height L as well asa possible scale (e.g. indicating 1 μm), for example.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross section of an insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement 700 according to an embodiment. The insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement 700 comprises a plurality ofMesa-insulated gate bipolar transistor structures as described above(e.g. FIG. 4-6). In this example, an average number of spacer structuresbetween neighbouring gates in the first configuration region 710 (e.g.no spacer structures between neighbouring gates) is smaller than anaverage number of spacer structures between neighbouring gates in thesecond configuration region 720 (e.g. one to four spacer structuresbetween neighbouring gates). In this way, the channel area per volumecontrolled by gates is varied in order to obtain a desired distributionof the density of free charge carriers.

In other words, FIG. 7 shows an example of a Cross-cut through anemitter-structures of an MPT-IGBT. The density of the effectively activecells (cells with trenches connected to Gate-potential) is reduced fromleft to right resulting in a reduction of source current from left toright. Only the mesas next to the Gate-trenches are connected to sourcein the figure. A contacting of all mesas is also possible by which thecarrier confinement may be reduced in common with the source current(e.g. by a source current supply circuit).

Optionally, additionally or alternatively to one or more aspectsdescribed above, the average distance of neighbouring trenches can bevaried in order to influence the average density of free chargecarriers. In other words, an average distance of neighbouring trencheslocated in the first configuration region may be different from anaverage distance of neighbouring trenches located in the secondconfiguration region (e.g. comprising a continuously or stepwiseincreasing distance towards the second configuration region).

FIG. 8A shows a schematic cross section of an insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement 800 according to an embodiment. The insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement 800 comprises a plurality ofMesa-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures asdescribed above (e.g. FIG. 4-6). In this example, a number of spacerstructures between neighbouring gates is constantly one. Further, anaverage distance of neighbouring trenches located in the firstconfiguration region 810 (e.g. comprising a smallest distance throughthe whole cell region) may be smaller than an average distance ofneighbouring trenches located in the second configuration region 820(e.g. comprising a continuously or stepwise increasing distance). Inthis way, the channel area per volume controlled by gates and thecharge-carrier density (controlled by the confinement effect) is variedin order to obtain a desired distribution of the density of free chargecarriers.

In other words, FIG. 8A shows an example of a cross-cut throughemitter-structures of an MPT-IGBT. The width of the mesas in the cellsis increased from left to right resulting in a decrease of thecarrier-confinement from left to right.

FIG. 8B shows a schematic cross section of an insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement 890 according to an embodiment. The insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement 890 comprises a plurality ofMesa-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures asdescribed above (e.g. FIG. 4-6). In this example, an average depth ofthe gates 490 within trenches located in the first configuration region840 is larger than an average depth of the gates 490 within trencheslocated in the second configuration region 850. A varying depth of thegates 490 may be implemented by varying the depth of the trenches and/orby varying a thickness of the insulation layer 870 at the bottom of thetrenches as shown in FIG. 8B. The thickness of the insulation layer 870at the bottom of the trenches may be increased (decreasing the depth ofthe gates within the trenches) continuously or stepwise towards thesecond configuration region 850 or the thickness of the insulation layer870 at the bottom of the trenches may be alternated between two or morepredefined or fixed thicknesses so that the average depth of the gatesis varied as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, the carrier confinement may bereduced and the effective channel length may be increased by a thickthickness of the trench bottom insulation layer in the transition regiontowards the edge, for example.

The variation of the Mesa width can be implemented in two lateraldirections over the main surface of a semiconductor device. FIG. 9A-9Cshow possible lateral geometries of trenches containing gates indicatedby the lines within the first configuration region 910 in the center ofthe semiconductor devices and the second configuration region 920 and anedge region 930. In other words, FIG. 9A-9C show top views of differentimplementation of trenches (black lines) in a strip-IGBT or Mesa IGBTaccording to embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross section of a trench-insulated gatebipolar transistor structure 1000. The trench-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure 1000 comprises a collector layer 1060 and abackside collector metal layer 1062 for an electrical contact 1064 tothe collector layer 1060 of the trench-insulated gate bipolar transistorstructure 1000 at a backside of the trench-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure 1000. Further, the trench-insulated gate bipolartransistor structure 1000 comprises a drift layer 1070 (e.g. n⁻ basis,substrate) adjacent to the collector layer 1070 and body areas 1080implanted into the drift layer 1070. Additionally, the trench-insulatedgate bipolar transistor structure 1000 comprises source areas 1085 incontact to a source metal layer 1086 for an electrical contact 1087implanted into the body areas 1080. Additionally, also the body areas1080 may be in contact to a source metal layer 1086, for example.Further, trenches comprising gates 1090 (e.g. poly silicon gates)reaching vertically through the body layer are arranged with predefinedlateral distance to each other. The gates can be electrically connectedthrough a gate wiring 1092 (not shown). The structure forming the gatesmay expand over at least a part of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement connecting a plurality of gates 1090 located in trenches,for example. Optionally, the Mesa-insulated gate bipolar transistorstructure 1000 may comprise a field stop layer between the drift layer1070 and the collector layer 1060.

As already mentioned, the portion of area occupied or covered by sourceareas within first and the second configuration region may be varied.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic top view of an insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement 1100 according to an embodiment. The insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement 1100 comprises a plurality oftrench-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures asdescribed above (e.g. FIG. 10). The source areas 1085 located in thefirst configuration region 1110 cover a larger portion of the firstconfiguration region 1110 (portion of die area occupied by the sourceareas) than a portion of the second configuration region 1120 covered bythe source areas 1085 located in the second configuration region 1120.By reducing the portion of areas occupied or covered by source areas1085, the provided source current in the different regions can be variedso that a desired distribution of the average density of free chargecarriers in an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement 1100 can be obtained.

In other words, FIG. 11 shows an example of a view on theemitter-structures of a trench IGBT. The channel width per cell (1085denote the n-source regions, i.e., the active channel area) is reducedfrom left to right.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively to one or more aspectsmentioned above, each trench of the plurality of trenches surrounds abody region of the plurality of body regions. In this way, a trenchinsulated gate bipolar transistor structure may be implemented. In thiscase, the carrier confinement may be varied by a variation of theaverage distance of neighbouring body regions surrounded by trenches,for example. In other words, an average distance (e.g. averaged throughthe respective region) of neighbouring body regions (e.g. closestneighbour or closest neighbour in a predefined direction) surrounded bytrenches located in the first configuration region may be different froman average distance of neighbouring body regions surrounded by trencheslocated in the second configuration region. By varying the distance ofpossible current sources towards the second configuration region, thedesired average density of free charge carriers can be obtained.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view of an insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement 1200 according to an embodiment. The insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement 1200 comprises a plurality oftrench-emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures asdescribed above (e.g. FIG. 10). An average distance (e.g. averagedthrough the respective region) of neighbouring body regions (e.g.closest neighbour or closest neighbour in a predefined direction)surrounded by trenches 1090 located in the first configuration region1210 may be smaller than an average distance of neighbouring bodyregions surrounded by trenches 1090 located in the second configurationregion 1220. By increasing the distance of possible current sources 1085towards the second configuration region 1230, the desired averagedensity of free charge carriers can be obtained.

In other words, FIG. 12 shows a view on the emitter-structures of atrench IGBT. The density of the cells is reduced from left to right.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively to one or more aspectsmentioned above, the depth of the trenches can be varied in order toinfluence the carrier confinement laterally. In other words, an averagedepth of trenches located in the first configuration region may bedifferent from an average depth of trenches located in the secondconfiguration region. Trenches reaching deep into the drift layer maycause a larger carrier confinement or density of free charge carriers inan on-state than trenches reaching only slightly through the body areas.Therefore, the desired average density of free charge carriers can beobtained by varying the depth of the trenches.

FIG. 13A shows a top view of a possible Mesa contacting. The firstconfiguration region 1310 comprises a lower contact hole density forcontacting Mesas than the second configuration region 1320 and the edgeregion 1330. The stripes represent openings of the cover oxide betweenMesas and the emitter contact. The carrier confinement effect can bereduced by the increase of the contact hole density towards the chipedge 1330 causing a reduction of the storage charges within the devicepresent in the on-state. Alternatively, a reduction or lowering of thecontact hole density from the centre of the die to the edge region canbe implemented in order to reduce the channel width towards the edgewithout an n-source shadowing.

FIG. 13B shows a top view of a possible source implantation. The firstconfiguration region 1310 comprises a higher average source implant areathan the second configuration region 1320 and the edge region 1330. Thestripes represent implanted source areas. The present storage chargeswithin the device can also be reduced by the reduction of the MOS (metaloxide semiconductor) channel width in the direction toward the chip edge1330.

FIG. 13C shows a top view of a possible Mesa contacting and a possiblesource implantation according to a combination of the embodiments shownin FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B.

FIG. 14A shows a top view of a front side and FIG. 14B of a back side ofa reverse conducting insulated gate bipolar transistor (RC-IGBT) with astructuring of an MOS channel width according to an embodiment. Thestripes shown in FIG. 14A represent implanted source regions. Thesquares 1440 in FIG. 14B represent n-conducting ohmic contact regionsbetween the n-conducting drift region of the device and the collector orcathode contact (shorts). The current density distribution in anon-operating state of the device can be homogenized by the increase ofthe MOS channel width in the region without shorts. In this example, thefirst configuration region 1410 comprises the shorted areas 1440 whilethe second configuration region 1420 and the edge region 1430 do notcomprise shorts.

Optionally, alternatively or additionally to one or more aspectsmentioned above, the backside collector layer may be adapted so that thecurrent flow from the source areas to the collector layer may mainlyoccur in the cell region. In other words, the collector layer maycomprise a first average dopant density in the cell region (first dopingregion) and a second average dopant density in the edge region (seconddoping region). The first average dopant density may be higher than thesecond dopant density.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross section of a semiconductor device 1500according to an embodiment. The semiconductor device 1500 comprisesemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures (area withIGBT cells) within the first configuration region 1510 and the secondconfiguration region 1520 according to one or more embodiments describedabove. Further, the semiconductor device 1500 comprises an edge region1530 at the edge of the semiconductor device 1500 comprising a pluralityof edge termination structures 1532 for reducing an electrical fieldtowards the edge. Further, the backside collector layer comprises afirst average dopant density 1540 (e.g. p⁺) in the first doping region1510 and a second average dopant density 1542 (e.g. p) in the seconddoping region 1530 (weakly doped emitter regions). The first averagedopant density 1540 is higher than the second dopant density 1542.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a cross section through an insulatedgate bipolar transistor and edge and shows a schematic edge terminationincluding an opposite reduced p-emitter doping. This may keep thecarrier flooding low, for example.

In some embodiments, the collector layer may comprise reverse conductingregions reaching through the collector layer to the drift layer andcomprising the first conductivity type. In this way, reverse conductinginsulated gate bipolar transistor (RC-IGBT) with improved durability maybe provided.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic backside view of a reverse conductinginsulated gate bipolar transistor structure 1600 (RC-IGBT). Theinsulated gate bipolar transistor structure 1600 comprises reverseconducting regions 1612 reaching through the collector layer to thedrift layer representing first doping regions and comprising the sameconductivity type as the drift layer within the cell region 1610. Thecell region is surrounded by a pilot region 1620 comprising no reverseconducting regions. The second doping region may be arranged between thefirst conducting regions and/or the pilot region 1620. The reverseconducting insulated gate bipolar transistor structure 1600 issurrounded by an edge region 1630. Further, a gate pad 1640 is arrangedin the proximity of a corner of the reverse conducting insulated gatebipolar transistor structure 1600.

FIG. 16 shows a layout of a backside mask indicating n+-stripes in themiddle 1610. An extensive p-pilot-region 1620 can be arranged in theproximity of the edge at the backside, which may enable as snapback freecharacteristic.

For example, the carrier confinement driven by the implementation of themain surface may consider the emitter efficiency of the oppositebackside. The emitter efficiency may be influenced by the density anddimension of n-shorts, p⁺-regions for softness improvement and/or fieldstop variations, for example.

FIG. 17 shows a current density J_(c) over voltage V_(ce) characteristicof a device with homogeneous n⁺ regions and FIG. 18 shows a currentdensity J_(c) over voltage V_(ce) characteristic of a device withinhomogeneous n⁺ regions. A current density of an average diode area1710, an average p-pilot region 1730 and an average total currentdensity 1720 is illustrated.

The average values of the current density within the regions (e.g. FIG.17) show that the p⁺-stripe has ignited in the region of nominal currentdensity. However, the mean current density in the region of the stripes(diode area) is significantly lower than in the p-pilot-region. Thesource sided emitter efficiency within the p-pilot-region may be partlylowered or reduced in order to homogenize the current density and inthis way the heating over the whole active area. For example, the n⁺implantation was partly removed compared to the p-pilot-region for thesimulation structure. This may result in an equal mean current densityin the diode region and in the p-pilot (e.g. FIG. 18).

FIG. 19 shows a schematic cross-section of a part of a semiconductordevice 1900 according to an embodiment. The semiconductor device 1900comprises an insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement. Theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a plurality ofconfiguration regions arranged within a cell region of the semiconductordevice at a main surface 1902 of the semiconductor substrate of thesemiconductor device 1900. Each configuration region 1911-1915 of theplurality of configuration regions comprises emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures. Further, the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement comprises a collector layer and a drift layer1920. The collector layer is arranged at a backside surface 1904 of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device 1900 and the driftlayer 1920 is arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the plurality ofconfiguration regions. Additionally, the collector layer comprises aplurality of doping regions within the cell region at the backsidesurface 1904 of the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device1900. The doping regions 1931-1935 of the plurality of doping regionscomprise at least partly different charge carrier life times, differentconductivity types or different doping concentrations. Further, theconfiguration regions 1911-1915 of the plurality of configurationregions and the doping regions 1931-1935 of the plurality of dopingregions are configured so that the average densities of free chargecarriers within parts of the drift layer facing the respective dopingregions of the plurality of doping regions differ from each other byless than 20% of an average densities of free charge carriers within thecell region in an on-state of the semiconductor device.

By implementing different configurations of emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures at the main surface opposite to differentdoping regions at the back side, the varying influence to the density offree charge carriers of the different doping regions can be at leastpartly compensated by the different configurations of emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures so that the differencebetween the average densities of free charge carriers can be kept low.In this way, the temperature distribution over at least a part of thesemiconductor substrate in the on-state can be kept very homogenous.Therefore, the life-cycle or durability of the device may be increased.

More details and aspects are described in connection with theembodiments above (e.g. FIG. 1A-2B).

The semiconductor device 1900 may comprise one or more optional,additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned inconnection with the described concept or one or more embodimentsdescribed above.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of a method 2000 for forming a semiconductordevice comprising an insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangementaccording to an embodiment. The method 2000 comprises forming 2010 atleast a first configuration region of emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement and a second configuration region of emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement arranged at a main surface of a semiconductorsubstrate of the semiconductor device. Further, the method 2000comprises forming 2020 a collector layer of the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement arranged at a backside surface of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device. A drift layer isarranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region and thesecond configuration region. Additionally, the collector layer comprisesat least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a second dopingregion, wherein the first doping region and the second doping regioncomprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations. The first configuration regionis located with at least a partial lateral overlap to the first dopingregion and the second configuration region is located with at least apartial lateral overlap to the second doping region. Further, the firstconfiguration region, the first doping region, the second configurationregion and the second doping region are configured so that a firstaverage density of free charge carriers within a part of the drift layerfacing the first doping region differs from a second average density offree charge carriers within a part of the drift layer facing the seconddoping region by less than 20% of the second average density in anon-state of the semiconductor device.

The method 2000 may comprise one or more optional additional actscorresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with thedescribed concept or one or more embodiments described above.

Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device implementing aninsulated gate bipolar transistor device comprising a blocking voltagein the range of 400 V to 1700 V.

Some embodiments relate to an insulated gate bipolar transistor devicewith a lateral variation of the emitter zone to provide a means forlateral optimization or improvement of the current and plasma density.

FIG. 8 shows a cross cut through an emitter structure of a micro patterntrench-insulated gate bipolar transistor (MPT-IGBT), for example. Thewidth of the Mesas in the cells is increased from left to right. Theshape of the Mesa structures can comprise various geometries (e.g.stripes, islands, circles or similar). Alternatively, the cell pitch maybe kept constant (e.g. for a kGkS4-cell, where k denotes a contactedMesa and G and S denote gate and source trenches respectively) withincreasing contacting of the source Mesas from left to right (e.g.kGkSSSS-kGkSkSSS-kGkSkSkSS-kGkSkSkSkSkSkS). An example is shown in FIG.7.

The proposed concept or method can be used for reverse blocking as wellas reverse conducting insulated gate bipolar transistors, for example.Also further proposed design measures may be implemented additionally oralternatively in order to obtain a desired or aimed flooding.

For example, it is also possible for reverse conducting insulated gatebipolar transistors (RC-IGBT) to implement another Mesa width or alsoother additional or alternatively proposed design measures in the regionof the so-called ignition structure (which comprises over a certain arearegion no highly n-doped shorts at the backside in order to provide asufficient ignition expansion) than in a region, which comprises theshorts in order to obtain or enable a homogenization of the deviceproperties. A large area three-dimensional (3D) structure can bebuild-up in order to demonstrate this by means of device simulation(e.g. FIG. 16). The front-side trench structure can be replaced by ahomogenously doped n⁺-region (for the simulation). FIG. 16 shows alayout of a backside mask indicating n⁺-stripes in the middle.p⁺-stripes are arranged between the n⁺-stripes and between the stripedregion and the edge is a p⁺-pilot-region arranged. An extensivep-pilot-region can be arranged in the proximity of the edge at thebackside, which may enable as snapback free characteristic. There is ap⁺-stripe at the right half (towards the centre of the device), whichinjects holes in the IGBT-mode, and an n⁺-stripe, which injectselectrons in the diode mode. The average values of the current densitywithin the regions (e.g. FIG. 17) show that the p⁺-stripe has ignited inthe region of nominal current density. However, the mean current densityin the region of the stripes (diode area) is significantly lower than inthe p-pilot-region. The source sided emitter efficiency within thep-pilot-region may be partly lowered or reduced in order to homogenizethe current density and in this way the heating over the whole activearea. For example, the n⁺ implantation was partly removed compared tothe p-pilot-region for the simulation structure. This may result in anequal mean current density in the diode region and in the p-pilot (e.g.FIG. 18). The cross ignition into the p-stripes may be promoted in thisconfiguration, since the low current density is larger in the ignitionregion. V_(ce,sat) is larger in this configuration, since the activearea in the IGBT-mode is effectively reduced in this configuration, forexample. By a moderate lowering or reduction of the source sided emitterefficiency (n⁺ doping in the simulation structure), theV_(ce,sat)-increase can be kept within a limit. The selectedconfiguration may depend on the operation of the RC-IGBT (e.g.frequency, feedback mode), for example.

The described reduction of the Mesa width may also be combined with alocal reduction of the backside emitter efficiency in the edge region ofthe device in order to increase the effectiveness of the proposedmeasure. For this, the doping height or doping concentration of thebackside emitter can be reduced or alternatively or additionally adoping of an optionally existing field stop zone in the edge region canbe increased or alternatively or additionally, an intended reduction ofthe lifetime of free charge carriers can be implemented by irradiationtechniques (e.g. light ions or electrons) or diffusing heavy metal(ions) into the semiconductor material.

In other words, an additional measure to counteract the raised holecurrents is an omission of the backside emitter in the edge region. Alsothe reverse blocking capability may be affected at these structures.

Additionally (or alternatively) an intended reduction of the source zonewidth and/or the source zone length or also an omission of source zoneregions in the different regions can be implemented in order to vary theinjection of free charge carriers in the different regions.

Further, additionally or alternatively, a variation of the cell pitch(e.g. distance of trenches) within the different regions can beimplemented.

It may also be possible to obtain a homogenization of the temperaturedistribution within the IGBT-chip by the proposed design measures, if ahigher current density is reached or intended in the better cooledregions than in the less cooled regions.

Embodiments may further provide a computer program having a program codefor performing one of the above methods, when the computer program isexecuted on a computer or processor. A person of skill in the art wouldreadily recognize that steps of various above-described methods may beperformed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are alsointended to cover program storage devices, e.g., digital data storagemedia, which are machine or computer readable and encodemachine-executable or computer-executable programs of instructions,wherein the instructions perform some or all of the acts of theabove-described methods. The program storage devices may be, e.g.,digital memories, magnetic storage media such as magnetic disks andmagnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storagemedia. The embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmedto perform the acts of the above-described methods or (field)programmable logic arrays ((F)PLAs) or (field) programmable gate arrays((F)PGAs), programmed to perform the acts of the above-describedmethods.

The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of thedisclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the artwill be able to devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of thedisclosure and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore,all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to beonly for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding theprinciples of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by theinventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as beingwithout limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, andembodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, areintended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Functional blocks denoted as “means for . . . ” (performing a certainfunction) shall be understood as functional blocks comprising circuitrythat is configured to perform a certain function, respectively. Hence, a“means for s.th.” may as well be understood as a “means configured to orsuited for s.th.”. A means configured to perform a certain functiondoes, hence, not imply that such means necessarily is performing thefunction (at a given time instant).

Functions of various elements shown in the figures, including anyfunctional blocks labeled as “means”, “means for providing a sensorsignal”, “means for generating a transmit signal.”, etc., may beprovided through the use of dedicated hardware, such as “a signalprovider”, “a signal processing unit”, “a processor”, “a controller”,etc. as well as hardware capable of executing software in associationwith appropriate software. Moreover, any entity described herein as“means”, may correspond to or be implemented as “one or more modules”,“one or more devices”, “one or more units”, etc. When provided by aprocessor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicatedprocessor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individualprocessors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of theterm “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to referexclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and mayimplicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) forstoring software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage.Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any blockdiagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitryembodying the principles of the disclosure. Similarly, it will beappreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transitiondiagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes whichmay be substantially represented in computer readable medium and soexecuted by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer orprocessor is explicitly shown.

Furthermore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into theDetailed Description, where each claim may stand on its own as aseparate embodiment. While each claim may stand on its own as a separateembodiment, it is to be noted that—although a dependent claim may referin the claims to a specific combination with one or more otherclaims—other embodiments may also include a combination of the dependentclaim with the subject matter of each other dependent or independentclaim. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that aspecific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is intended toinclude also features of a claim to any other independent claim even ifthis claim is not directly made dependent to the independent claim.

It is further to be noted that methods disclosed in the specification orin the claims may be implemented by a device having means for performingeach of the respective acts of these methods.

Further, it is to be understood that the disclosure of multiple acts orfunctions disclosed in the specification or claims may not be construedas to be within the specific order. Therefore, the disclosure ofmultiple acts or functions will not limit these to a particular orderunless such acts or functions are not interchangeable for technicalreasons. Furthermore, in some embodiments a single act may include ormay be broken into multiple sub acts. Such sub acts may be included andpart of the disclosure of this single act unless explicitly excluded.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising an insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement, the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement comprising at least a first configuration regionof emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures, whereineach emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structure of thefirst configuration region comprises a body area, a source area, and agate, and a second configuration region of emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structures, wherein each emitter-side insulated gatebipolar transistor structure of the second configuration regioncomprises a body area, a source area, and a gate, wherein the firstconfiguration region and the second configuration region are arranged ata main surface of a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device,wherein the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises acollector layer and a drift layer which are part of the semiconductorsubstrate, wherein the collector layer is arranged at a backside surfaceof the semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device and the driftlayer is arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the first configurationregion and the second configuration region, wherein the collector layercomprises at least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a seconddoping region, wherein the first doping region and the second dopingregion comprise different charge carrier life times, differentconductivity types or different doping concentrations, wherein the firstconfiguration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlapto the first doping region and the second configuration region islocated with at least a partial lateral overlap to the second dopingregion, and wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of body areas, a plurality ofsource areas and a plurality of gates each, wherein the plurality ofsource areas and the drift layer comprise at least mainly a firstconductivity type, wherein the plurality of body areas and the collectorlayer comprise at least mainly a second conductivity type, wherein theplurality of gates are arranged so that the gates are capable of causinga conductive channel between the source areas and the drift layerthrough the body areas, wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of trenches reachingvertically through a body layer comprising the plurality of bodyregions, wherein the gates are arranged in trenches of the plurality oftrenches, and wherein an average depth of the gates within trencheslocated in the first configuration region is different from an averagedepth of the gates within trenches located in the second configurationregion, and wherein the differences in average depth compensates for adifference in density of free charge carriers during an on-state of theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement caused by the differentcharge carrier life times, different conductivity types or differentdoping concentrations.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, whereinthe first configuration region, the first doping region, the secondconfiguration region and the second doping region comprise each alateral dimension of more than half of a diffusion length of free chargecarriers within the drift layer or more than half of a thickness of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device.
 3. Thesemiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first doping region and thesecond doping region are configured so that the first doping region iscapable of providing a higher average density of charge carriers to thedrift layer in an on-state of the semiconductor device than the seconddoping region, wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region and theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the secondconfiguration region are configured so that the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the second configuration regionare capable of providing a higher average density of charge carriers tothe drift layer in an on-state of the semiconductor device than theemitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistor structures of the firstconfiguration region.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 1, whereinthe first configuration region is located laterally adjacent to thesecond configuration region.
 5. The semiconductor device of claim 1,wherein the drift layer comprise at least mainly a first conductivitytype and the collector layer comprise at least mainly a secondconductivity type.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein thefirst configuration region and the second configuration region arelocated within a cell region of the semiconductor substrate, wherein thecell region is laterally enclosed by an edge region surrounding thesemiconductor substrate at an edge of the semiconductor substrate,wherein the edge region comprises a width of less than a quarter of alateral dimension of the semiconductor substrate.
 7. The semiconductordevice of claim 1, wherein the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement comprises a plurality of configuration regions arrangedwithin a cell region of the semiconductor device at the main surface ofthe semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device, wherein thecollector layer comprises a plurality of doping regions arranged withinthe cell region at the backside surface of the semiconductor substrateof the semiconductor device, wherein the configuration regions of theplurality of configuration regions and the doping regions of theplurality of doping regions are configured so that the average densitiesof free charge carriers within parts of the drift layer facing therespective doping regions of the plurality of doping regions differ fromeach other by less than 20% of an average densities of free chargecarriers within the cell region in an on-state of the semiconductordevice.
 8. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the insulatedgate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a source current supplycircuit configured to provide in an on-state of the insulated gatebipolar transistor arrangement a first average source current to thesource areas located in the first configuration region and a secondaverage source current to the source areas located in the secondconfiguration region, wherein the first average source current isdifferent from the second average source current.
 9. The semiconductordevice of claim 1, wherein the source areas located in the firstconfiguration region cover a larger portion of the first configurationregion than a portion of the second configuration region covered by thesource areas located in the second configuration region.
 10. Thesemiconductor device of claim 1, wherein an average channel widthcontrollable by the gates located in the first configuration region islarger than an average channel width controllable by the gates locatedin the second configuration region.
 11. The semiconductor device ofclaim 1, wherein an average depth of trenches located in the firstconfiguration region is different from an average depth of trencheslocated in the second configuration region.
 12. The semiconductor deviceof claim 1, wherein gates are arranged in a first part of the pluralityof trenches and a plurality of spacer structures are arranged within asecond part of the plurality of trenches, wherein an average number ofspacer structures between neighboring gates in the first configurationregion is different from an average number of spacer structures betweenneighboring gates in the second configuration region.
 13. Thesemiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the second doping regions arereverse conducting regions reaching through the collector layer to thedrift layer and comprise the first conductivity type.
 14. Asemiconductor device comprising an insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement, the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangementcomprising at least a first configuration region of emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures, wherein each emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structure of the first configurationregion comprises a body area, a source area, and a gate, and a secondconfiguration region of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures, wherein each emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructure of the second configuration region comprises a body area, asource area, and a gate, wherein the first configuration region and thesecond configuration region are arranged at a main surface of asemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device, wherein theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a collectorlayer and a drift layer which are part of the semiconductor substrate,wherein the collector layer is arranged at a backside surface of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device and the drift layeris arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region andthe second configuration region, wherein the collector layer comprisesat least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a second dopingregion, wherein the first doping region and the second doping regioncomprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations, wherein the firstconfiguration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlapto the first doping region and the second configuration region islocated with at least a partial lateral overlap to the second dopingregion, and wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of body areas, a plurality ofsource areas and a plurality of gates each, wherein the plurality ofsource areas and the drift layer comprise at least mainly a firstconductivity type, wherein the plurality of body areas and the collectorlayer comprise at least mainly a second conductivity type, wherein theplurality of gates are arranged so that the gates are capable of causinga conductive channel between the source areas and the drift layerthrough the body areas, wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of trenches reachingvertically through a body layer comprising the plurality of bodyregions, wherein the gates are arranged in trenches of the plurality oftrenches, and wherein an average distance of neighboring trencheslocated in the first configuration region is different from an averagedistance of neighboring trenches located in the second configurationregion, and wherein the differences in average distance of neighboringtrenches compensates for the difference in density of free chargecarriers during an on-state of the insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement caused by the different charge carrier life times, differentconductivity types or different doping concentrations.
 15. Asemiconductor device comprising an insulated gate bipolar transistorarrangement, the insulated gate bipolar transistor arrangementcomprising at least a first configuration region of emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structures, wherein each emitter-sideinsulated gate bipolar transistor structure of the first configurationregion comprises a body area, a source area, and a gate, and a secondconfiguration region of emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures, wherein each emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructure of the second configuration region comprises a body area, asource area, and a gate, wherein the first configuration region and thesecond configuration region are arranged at a main surface of asemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device, wherein theinsulated gate bipolar transistor arrangement comprises a collectorlayer and a drift layer which are part of the semiconductor substrate,wherein the collector layer is arranged at a backside surface of thesemiconductor substrate of the semiconductor device and the drift layeris arranged between the collector layer and the emitter-side insulatedgate bipolar transistor structures of the first configuration region andthe second configuration region, wherein the collector layer comprisesat least a first doping region laterally adjacent to a second dopingregion, wherein the first doping region and the second doping regioncomprise different charge carrier life times, different conductivitytypes or different doping concentrations, wherein the firstconfiguration region is located with at least a partial lateral overlapto the first doping region and the second configuration region islocated with at least a partial lateral overlap to the second dopingregion, and wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolar transistorstructures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of body areas, a plurality ofsource areas and a plurality of gates each, wherein the plurality ofsource areas and the drift layer comprise at least mainly a firstconductivity type, wherein the plurality of body areas and the collectorlayer comprise at least mainly a second conductivity type, wherein theplurality of gates are arranged so that the gates are capable of causinga conductive channel between the source areas and the drift layerthrough the body areas, wherein the emitter-side insulated gate bipolartransistor structures of the first configuration region and the secondconfiguration region comprise a plurality of trenches reachingvertically through a body layer comprising the plurality of bodyregions, wherein the gates are arranged in trenches of the plurality oftrenches, and wherein each trench of the plurality of trenches surroundsa body region of the plurality of body regions, wherein an averagedistance of neighboring body regions surrounded by trenches located inthe first configuration region is different from an average distance ofneighboring body regions surrounded by trenches located in the secondconfiguration region, and wherein the differences in average distance ofneighboring body regions compensates for the difference in density offree charge carriers during an on-state of the insulated gate bipolartransistor arrangement caused by the different charge carrier lifetimes, different conductivity types or different doping concentrations.